UPDATE 6 - WEST VIRGINIA TRAIN DERAILMENT RESPONSE

2/20/2015

MONTGOMERY, W. Va. — Response teams with the West Virginia Train Derailment continue to serve the community, and the continual restoration, recovery and clean-up operations at the site, Friday. Residents evacuated from Adena Village and Mount Carbon were allowed to return to their homes Friday morning.

Environmental protective and monitoring measures remain in place on land, air and in both Armstrong Creek and the Kanawha River. Air and water monitoring are on-going, and results continue to demonstrate no impact to the air quality or the waterways. Air and water monitoring results are available of the EPA website here: https://www.epaosc.org/site/site_profile.aspx?site_id=9762.

The Unified Command is making preparations to ensure responders remain safe for impending inclement weather. The command is also bringing additional resources to contain an unknown amount of oil trapped in the ice from entering the waterways.

One lane of West Virginia Route 61 was also reopened Friday. Police escorts are stationed along the highway to ensure drivers follow safety and security procedures.

“Drivers are reminded to use only the open lane and are asked to use caution when driving along Route 61 as equipment and crew members continue to work and stage clean-up efforts nearby,” said Dennis Matlock, response Federal On Scene Coordinator. “We are pleased that residents were able to safely return to their homes. Ensuring the safety of residents and response teams has and will continue to be our first priority.”

CSX has temporarily relocated its Outreach Center to Valley High School in Smithers this weekend, to accommodate increased volume as residents return to their homes. Valley High School is located on Greyhound Lane in Smithers. The Outreach Center is open 12 p.m. to 8 p.m., Friday and 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Saturday and Sunday. The Outreach Center at the Glen Ferris Inn will be closed Friday, Saturday and Sunday, but will re-open on Monday to address any remaining resident needs.

Residents are reminded to bring a form of identification (driver’s license or government ID) and AEP power bill to the Outreach Center. Residents are encouraged to bring any receipts documenting evacuation-related expenses. Households that experienced extended power outages must have the person whose name is on the bill present in order to receive compensation. If possible, only one household representative should come to check in at the Outreach Center.

Residents with questions who cannot reach the Outreach Center may contact 1-877-TellCSX (1-877-835-5279).